LGR4GM

Quinn has smart physicality. I think we will notice it more this year.

That just isn't a thing anymore. Matthew Tkachuk was feisty all playoffs but Vegas didn't fear him. Radko Gudas is a beast but no one fears him. I think the idea that players are afraid on the ice ended years ago, sure it can happen at times, but hockey is so fast and skilled now that no one is like "oh man Tkachuk is out there, I better be afraid of him." I fully disagree with the 2nd bolded. I think down the stretch when it was basically playoff hockey for us we were exceedingly gritty and resilient.

Oh and I don't think we are 4-6th best because of McDermott but because Josh Allen can cover for a lot of their issues.

Colin is an idiot but ever since 13 seconds, I have been questioning that I think there may be a coaching problem. Last year all but solidified it for me. That team was a disjointed mess last year and the GM and Coach wasted resources on less important things. 2 years ago the line was bad, last year it was atrocious. They drafted a RB and then didn't even use him. They paid Knox a bunch of money for reasons? They drafted a bunch of edges who suck. They think Gabe Davis is a #2 WR. Their defensive strategies in the playoffs can only be called "playing not to lose" as they literally sit back and pray that 4 guys get pressure against the best and most elusive QBs in the league. Offensively by the end it was "drop back, run routes that take 4 seconds and are 20yrds downfield where everyone is double covered" and it happened over and over and over. Before someone tells me they were the X ranked defense and Y ranked offense, yea in the regular season when they get to beat up on the Patriots but in crunch time against the Bengals or the Chiefs, their strategies have repeatedly failed. I think McDermott is an okay coach, he isn't great but he isn't Krueger. The issue is, his adaptability and killer instinct is meh. He is Mark Richt when we need Kirby Smart. Beane, I do not understand why more ppl are not questioning his drafting. Outside of Josh Allen what other player has he drafted that you are like "oh yea, that guy is great!" maybe Oliver? Dorsey... oh my lord did he have the most predictable offense by the time we hit the playoffs. Cook is a good pass catcher and runner and nope, 20yrds downfield, every play. IMPO they have a lot to prove this year because otherwise we will just continually be a team that is 4-6th best. Sometimes you have to pass on the good things, to get the better things.

Just wait until Novikov gets a game. Last time I saw any of his play, he has physicality. BTW physicality is a main reason I wish we had Jiricek. He is downright mean at times. 6'3" and mean. Also... David has a brother in the 2024 draft, not sure if he plays the same style but he has roughly the same size (height, not weight yet) and he has skills, Adam Jiricek.

Dahlin, Boosh, Muel are all physical. I think you can get Power to be more physical and he will need to be. I think that Kevyn Adams has already identified that this team needs more physical and has started to address that. I would note that Quinn, Tuch, Mitts, JJP, Cozens, all have a physical element to their game. Jeff Skinner as well. I do agree though that I would like another physical defender on the backend, if not 2, and I would like another forward with some snarl. That said, I think that we have a bunch of guys now who have that dogged style of play where you take the puck and they will hound you all over the ice. I think that level of team physicality is an important starting point.

I'd kick the tires on Corson Ceulemans out if Columbus. 6'2" rhd that's 20. Needs 1 ahl year and would be a solid 2nd pairing options

maybe we should keep the guy who can pass to our shooters as well as *checks notes* Leon Draisaitl.

You mean well known actress Hailee Steinfeld? Who is the voice of a main character in the #1 movie the world right now? That chick?

Better be because there is no chance in hell I would take him in the 2nd. Now the Sabres might but I think that would be a mistake.

I'm sure many are curious about defense so I will list a bunch of defender, all of which should be available in round 2 or later and all are 6'1" or taller. Personally I really like Sotheran. He is a late June bday and I think if his skating improves (he needs stronger legs) than it will really round out his already decent overall game. He is probably drafted in-between Buffalo's pick at 45 and their next pick way back at 86. I think they would need to get into the low 60s or take him at 45. Caden Price, LHD, 6'1" Oliver Bonk, RHD, 6'2" Carter Sotheran, RHD, 6'3" Maxim Strbak, RHD, 6'1" Andrew Gibson, RHD, 6'3" Jakub Dvorak, LHD, 6'5" Gavin McCarthy, RHD, 6'1" Quinton Burns, LHD, 6'1" Hoyt Stanley, RHD, 6'2" Albert Wikman, LHD, 6'1" Rodwin Dionicio, LHD, 6'2"

Idk how your grading scale works but Benson ranks significantly higher. I would like to add the depth pool is weak but it has size. Novikov is 6'4" Komarov is 6'3" and Lindgren is the exception at 6'

I laughed at your post. If the Gifs worked I would have done something else but they don't.

Fun fact, Alex Tuch and Rasmus Dahlin are only Buffalo Sabres because of Eichel if you think about it. Honestly, I'm grateful for him.

Lol. You're embarrassed ppl booed an opposing player? Come on now.

Exactly, the tank worked and the rebuild failed. Glad you finally understand because as you conclude "I don't see how anyone can think Vegas would've won the Cup without him."

I honestly cannot f####ng believe this board is still bitching and moaning over #5 defender Will Borgen. I want KA to fix the defense simply so I can stop hearing about the Legend of Will Borgen, depth defender extraordinaire.

That isn't how things work. Also at this stage Buffalo currently has a top 3 that are all 6'3" or taller. Reinbacher or Simashev would be the only 2 defenders I would take at 13 even though I like Wallinder as well. Pellikka is out for me because he replicates things that Power and Dahlin already do and so I would look for a bigger skilled player. I wouldn't draft some of the guys that are shorter on Def in this draft. They aren't dynamic enough to really warrant that until you get later in the draft. There's several 6'3" or taller RHD that we could get in the 2nd or 3rd round though that have 4-6 potential. I think we end up with either Simashev or a forward at 13.

The Knights only have 3 players 6'3" or taller on defense. They have three others at 6'2". Zach Whitecloud is listed at 6'2" by Elite and I always defer to their sizes.

You wanna know what the guy who grew up next to Connelly and is a life long Sabres fan thinks about Vegas winning the cup? "Season starts in October."

@PerreaultForever offense, wins championships

I hope we get to end the season at home, in June, against Vegas. That would be fun. Yea... cuz they are winning.

Nick Lardis is ranked ahead of Juraj on my board. Also, I'm not actually bothered by what the consolidated is on a player.